Malvern Hills

Malvern Hills' population grew between the last two censuses. Data from the census also show there were changes in marriage, health and work life.

The population reached nearly 75,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Malvern Hills increased by 3.4%, from just under 72,200 to 74,600.

The addition of almost 2,500 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Malvern Hills was home to, on average, 0.92 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across the West Midlands

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the West Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Malvern Hills

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Malvern Hills increased by three years, from 44 to 47 years.

This agricultural area had the highest average age in the West Midlands and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 2,800 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 2,000.

About 15% of people in Malvern Hills are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Malvern Hills by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Malvern Hills

Malvern Hills saw the West Midlands' second-largest fall in the proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just under 9 in 10 (87%) in Malvern Hills reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities, compared with 89% in 2001. The percentage who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.9% to 3.8%.

Across the region, only Herefordshire saw a greater fall in the proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 90% to 89%).

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Fewer married people

The proportion of married people fell in Malvern Hills, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the West Midlands, except Worcester.

Every local authority area across the West Midlands saw a fall in the proportion of married people, as the regional average fell from 52% to 48%.

During this period, Malvern Hills overtook Solihull to become the West Midlands local authority area with the seventh-highest percentage of married people.

The proportion of married people was higher than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Malvern Hills that rented privately increased from 8.6% to 12% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

The percentage that lived in social housing remained close to 14%, while the percentage of Malvern Hills households that owned their home decreased from 75% to 72%.

The proportion of privately rented homes decreased faster here than in any other local authority district across the West Midlands. But despite the improvement, Malvern Hills remained less healthy than the regional average 14% in the West Midlands described their health as good in 2011).

Private renting in Malvern Hills increased by 3 percentage points

Percentage of households in Malvern Hills, the West Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Malvern Hills residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.4% to 5.3% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (81%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 69% in 2001. The percentage of Malvern Hills residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 14%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the West Midlands (from 9.7% in 2001 to 6.1% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Malvern Hills decreased by 3.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Malvern Hills, the West Midlands and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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